Device for reading maps and writings, looking at pictures and the like



11, 1931- s. SAMSON ET AL DEVICE FOR READING MAPS AND WRITINGS LOOKING AT PICTURES, AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 18. 1929 Patented Aug. 11, 1931 UNITED STATES SIEGFRIED SAMSON AND ALFRET} VOCKE, OF CASSEL, GERMANY DEVICE FOR READING Application filed January 18, 1929, Serial No.

WVhen journeying in a motor car it becomes now and then necessary to read a map or a piece of writing or to look at a picture while the car is running with high speed,

the maps being in many cases pretty large, as are sometimes also the books, and it is in such cases often times very difficult to read the map etc. with the necessary reliableness.

The object of this invention is to obviate the drawbacks hitherto experienced, and the problem is solved by providing the maps etc. upon a transparent strip which is guided between suitable members and can be looked at through a magnifying lens. Illuminating means are provided for rendering it possible to use the device also in the dark hours. In order to facilitate the finding or, may be, the

marking, of a certain definite point upon a map etc., a short movable and transparent 2 band bearing suitable marks is made use of.

The band is preferably conducted over rollers for which a cog-wheel gearing is provided,

by means of which they can be turned simultaneously. This gearing is so designed that the arising of undulations of the band is completely prevented. The device is designed in such a manner that it is apt to be carried upon the head of the car driver.

The invention is illustrated diagrammatically and by way of example on the accompanying drawings on which Figure 1 is a vertical axial section through a constructional form of a device designed according to this invention; Figure 2 is a section in the plane A-A of Fig. 1, and the picture band carrier being removed; Figure 3 is a perspective illustration of the picture band carrier; Figure 4 shows in section some details of the uppermost part of Fig. 3; Figure 5 shows in a reduced scale how the device is attached to the head of the car driver, the device being shown in two positions, of which that shown in dotted lines is that in which the device is out of use. I

On the drawings a denotes the casing in which is provided a window I) located in the outer or front wall of the casing. Opposite this wall a boX 0 carrying two magnifying lenses is guided in suitable members and is pressed outwardly, i. e. in the direction to the I will be moved upwardly or downwardly ac- MAPS AND WRITINGS, LOOKING- AT' PI CTURESTAND THE LIKE 333,393, and in Germany November 2,1928.

eyes of the car driver etc., by helical springs d. Above and belowthe window a threaded spindle e is supported in suitably arranged bearings, and a cog-wheel gearing f is provided by means of which the two spindles can be turned simultaneously and in equal direction. One of the spindles is provided with an outer grip or knob g by which the spindles can be turned, as just stated. Each spindle e engages a correspondingly threaded sleeve combined with a slide it which can be moved horizontally by turning the knob g, and moved along with said slides h is a short piece of film-band 2' bearing two marks is formed either merely by two small holes or by colored spots. The film-band is passed through between two spindles Z and 0, of which Z is connected with an outer knob n by which it can be turned, whereby the film-band cording to the direction of rotation of said knob. v

The side Q of the casing is firmly connected with the picture band carrier p which can be shifted in guide members p, and is withdrawn from the casing when a fresh film is to be inserted. The entire picture band carrier consists of the casing side 9, theupper and the lower frame portions 1" extending horizontally from said side, and the member p by which said portions 4" are connected with one another at their other ends. The film is passing through betweenthe said portions?" and the opposite surfaces of the casing which are curved, as shown in Fig. 1. Through the member of the picture band carrier'extend two horizontal axlest engaging the bores of bobbins t. Opposite the free ends of the bobbins turning knobs o are located in the member {I of the picture band carrier, and escapements 'w are providedin these knobs, the arrangement being such that the picture band b can be wound upon the respective roll, but not off it.

It has already been stated that the device can be illuminated. For this purpose a lamp w is arranged upon the casing a and can be shifted from one or the other side into a guide path provided upon the top of the casing. The lamp :1: can also be turned around its axis.

The picture band I) can be drawn from one bobbin t to the other bobbin, and in doing so it passes in front of the window and of the film, and parallel to both, as shown in Fig. 1, and in order to hold the band in this position it is led over horizontal rods 2 located near the slides h.

The device is attached to the head of the car driver by means of a strap running from the chin over the skull, as shown in Fig. 5. From the top of the strap a rigid guide member y extends forwardly and downwardly to the root of the nose, and the device, or its casing respectively, engages a guide path of said guide with a feather or the like, so that it is possible to shift the entire device from the position shown in Fig. l in-full lines into that shown in dotted line-s. Below the guide member z a protective strip y may be provided, and the device may be combined, if desired (and as shown in Fig. 5) with eye protection spectacles 3 V In Figs. 3 and 4 the bobbin supporting rods 6 are shown a little withdrawn to the right. In normal position the outer members 8 affixed to them he side by side with the member ;0 of the picture band carrier, the other or free ends of the rods t engage the cavities u of the knobs v, and a locking wheel .9 engages then a slot 1) of the member 19.

We claim:

A device for reading maps and writings, looking at pictures and the like while driving a motor car or the like, and comprising, in combination with means for attaching it to the drivers head in front of his eyes; a casing connected with said attaching means and having oppositely located openings in the line of vision of the driver magnifying lenses in the openings located near the drivers eyes; a transparent plate in the opposite opening at the front of said casing; a piece of filmband arranged behind said transparent plate inside the casing; means for moving said filmband horizontally, as well as vertically; a picture band located inside the said casing between the film-band and said magnifying lenses; spools arranged in the top portion and in the bottom portion of the said casing and bearing said picture band which can be wound from any of said spools upon the other spool; means for moving the spools from outside the casing, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures.

SIEGFRIED SAMSON. ALFRED VOCKE. 

